Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:385 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for a new school to replace Congress Avenue national school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13753/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
My Department has an extensive primary school building programme under way at present and this includes a large number of projects at various stages of architectural planning.
Decisions on additional projects proceeding to architectural planning, including a proposed project for Congress Avenue national school, are taken in the light of the annual allocation for capital projects, the financial commitments to be met and the priority to be afforded to individual projects. The programme for 2002 is in place and the schools concerned have been notified.
Later this year when a financial allocation has been made for the primary school building programme in the 2003 Estimates I will be framing a further comprehensive programme of works and this will involve putting more projects into architectural planning. The accommodation needs of Congress Avenue national school will be considered at that time.
It is my intention to bring greater transparency to the operation of the school building programme and I intend to publish the programme annually. I am also anxious to build a multi-annual dimension into the published programme so that schools will have an indication of the expected timelines relating to their project.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:386 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experience by parents in Celbridge, County Kildare with regard to places for children at primary school level; if he will take steps to ensure that sufficient places are made available in 2002 to meet the requirements, current and anticipated in respect of each of the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13754/02]
Officials from the planning and building unit of my Department, in conjunction with the local inspector, are currently examining the availability of pupil places in Celbridge for the forthcoming school year with a view to optimising the use of existing accommodation and providing additional capacity, where necessary.